Traditional Catholic Teaching - Lesson 20

Lesson 20 - Supplement A

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Evidence abounds to demonstrate overwhelmingly that the Faith in England was in excellent shape before the antics of Henry 8th and Elizabeth 1st. The people lived their religion happily and the Church served them well. But personal agendas and private grain got in the way. The powerful and ambitious destroyed the place of the Faith in the life of the ordinary people. Not that the people gave up without their best efforts at protest, but they were crushed in the most brutal and ungodly oppression that any nation has witnessed. Christianity never fully recovered in Britain. The substitute state church never commanded the love and affection of the English to the same extent. There were exceptional individuals and groups who did an excellent job keeping up the devotional life of the Church – but generally, politically correct conformism took control.

Despite significant and desperately sincere "non-conformist" revivals, Britain never regained its former heart, and Christianity has declined ever since until today, it is a mere shadow. The Church of England, as well as other major denominations are sadly having to sell off so many beautiful but unneeded churches, some of which are becoming Islamic mosques or Sikh temples. Many Churches still functioning as such can only be funded by renting out parts for cafes and community meeting rooms. Clergy put on a brave face, but it is demoralising for all concerned. It is an unhappy spectacle, watching a great Christian culture in retreat. The same process is occurring in Scotland and Wales, and indeed, equally throughout the English speaking world. No one of any faith can rejoice about a tragic situation like this. Whilst we cannot say it is too late now to regain our former sense of identity and destiny, there are few signs we are looking to traditional christianity as the basis for renewal of our culture. What could be more tragic?

Sadly, the majority of people follow like wandering sheep and move further and further into atheistic secularism. The same decay is now well entrenched throughout the Western world. At this point we pull back from any further comment, since this is not a judgement but a plea for people to open their eyes and see themselves as the non-Christian world now looks on them. It is not too late for the Western world to recover the core of its cultural heritage and that means returning to its Christian heritage. This process of restoration can begin by individuals choosing to do this.

We offer a humble Gospel meditation to encourage such a recovery. It is the remarkable story of a man who knew he couldn't see but knew what to do about it. He waited for this chance and when it came he grabbed it. We could all take a leaf out of his book, as they say: for it is never too late!

End of Lesson 20 Supplement A

Supplement B: "Rabbi, I Want To See"

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